CVS Did the Right Thing in Stopping Tobacco Sales

A report released by CVS Health on the 1-year anniversary of its decision to stop tobacco sales suggests that doing the right thing instead of the expedient thing makes good business sense.

The pharmacy profession has been encouraging the removal of tobacco products from shelves for a long time, but most pharmacy corporations have rationalized that doing so would not stop customers from buying cigarettes, so there is little reason to give up that revenue stream.

CVS Health’s report indicates that consumers want to improve their health, and when they see a consistent and clear message, they respond. This report also means that many patients have seen their lives and health improve through a comprehensive approach to smoking cessation, which starts with removing tobacco from the pharmacy.

I congratulate CVS Health for doing the right thing instead of the expedient thing.